WALNUT CREEK TRAIL. PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL ROBSON/VISITRALEIGH.COM
The Best Trails to Hike, Bike, and Run By Michael Robson
Through a collaborative partnership with Visit Raleigh, the Downtowner is proud to help promote Raleigh and the entire Wake County area. The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh) is the official and accredited destination marketing organization for all of Wake County. For more things to do in the Raleigh area, check out www.visitRaleigh.com, where this article originally appeared. There’s no shortage of ways to find peaceful escapes in order to explore the outdoors throughout Raleigh, Cary, and Apex (check out our list for Durham in next month’s issue). And during this time of COVID-19, when we’re all getting a little cabin fever from being cooped up inside, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy some of the area’s best trails. Visit any of the 180 miles of greenways or numerous other miles of trails traversing through parks, and you’ll find runners getting in workouts, cyclists out for leisurely rides, parents pushing strollers, and people of all ages soaking up the fresh air. Below are some of our favorite spots to seek out solitude and sun.
William B. Umstead State Park
One of N.C.’s most-visited state parks, William B. Umstead State Park remains a peaceful getaway thanks to its sheer size – more than 5,000 acres of forest, trails, and lakes sit on the edge of Raleigh, Cary and Morrisville. With 13 miles of multi-use trails that follow a series of rolling hills (perfect for horseback riding, jogging, and cycling) and 22 miles of dedicated hiking trails, this is a must-hit destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Cyclists are drawn to Umstead for the gravel riding – the multiuse paths are a mixture of hard-packed dirt surfaces along with some fairly rocky gravel sections among the handful of trails that are open to bikes. No paved roads will be found here, and that’s part of the appeal. You’ll see all types of rides tackling the terrain inside Umstead, from
full-suspension mountain bikes to trendy, new gravel bikes (road bikes with bigger tires). The important thing is you’ll want tires that are, at minimum, 28mm in width (bigger will be better) to comfortably handle the bumpy surface. One favorite way to take advantage of the multi-use trails for both cyclists and runners is to park your vehicle at the Old Reedy Creek Road trailhead (there are plenty of parking spots, bathrooms, and water fountains – also bike repair tools are on hand here). Then head just a couple of hundred yards up the short hill to the park entrance and follow the Reedy Creek Trail on a straight shot until you hit the far end of the park – that’s a total of five miles one way. From there, either head back the way you came or turn left to tackle the South and North Turkey Creek Trails (warning: brutally steep in a couple sections!) which will add an additional six miles or so to your route before heading back to your starting point. Hikers and singletrack runners have plenty of options, too, starting with Sycamore Trail, a moderately easy loop trail with plenty of elevation changes and lots of shade that runs beside Sycamore Creek for a total of 7.2 miles and has the option to connect to many other trails along the way. Total mileage: As much or as little as you like; trails range from one mile to seven miles and can be mixed and matched Best for: Workouts; trail running; hiking; gravel riding/mountain biking; hills; dogs; families; shade ISSUE 153
Lake Crabtree County Park
Established as the Raleigh area’s first county park, Lake Crabtree County Park offers hiking, single-track mountain biking, seasonal boat rentals, playgrounds, and more in a location that sits between Cary, Morrisville, and Raleigh. Open to foot traffic only for the majority of the hike, the Lake Trail is a six-mile loop that meanders its way around the 520-acre lake, sometimes coming just a few feet from water and other times veering farther from the shore. While about half your time is spent in the woods where you won’t find much of a crowd, the other half puts you on a new stretch of paved greenway that sees more cyclists, families, and pets enjoying the outdoors (the greenway also passes over a nearly 500-foot-long bridge that crosses the lake). A large open field on the wooded side sits > > >
THE TRIANGLE’S LONGEST RUNNING MONTHLY
| TRIANGLE DOWNTOWNER MAGAZINE
9
